The Secret to Stopping Foodborne Illness Might Be Lasers

Researchers have developed a laser that spots illness-inducing bacteria before it makes you sick.

In a recently submitted paper, scientists at the Korea Advanced Institutes of Science and Technology detail a bacteria-spotting laser that food processing plants can use to target consumables that might make people sick. The researchers note that the device could even fit inside your home fridge one day.

Here’s how it works: a red laser beam scans for bacteria that might be laying siege to perishables. The laser detects the movement of the bacteria’s tail-like flagella. As the bacteria use flagella to skate all over last night’s meatloaf, the laser beam scatters, creating a detectable change in light patterns, which can be captured and processed within seconds by a camera.

MIT Technology Reviewpoints out that right now methods for detecting foodborne bacteria include mass spectrometry and microbiological culturing, which are both complicated and pricey. This laser is cheaper and requires no specialised training to use. Even better? It works through plastic wrap, which doesn’t disrupt the laser’s readings. Further, it can also be used from a distance, preventing workers at a plant from touching or even coming near contaminated food.

For now, the laser remains a prototype in development. Next, researchers will have to figure out a way to use the laser to spot bacteria whose movement doesn’t cause changes in light patterns — such as norovirus One step at a time towards stopping mad dashes to the toilet. [arXiv.org via MIT Technology Review]